Re: 9TH DECEMBER 2014 UPDATED " TRANSFERS/LOAN DEALS " UPDA

BLACKBURN Rovers want Lewis Macleod, Cardiff City are interested in Anthony Stokes, and Hearts are looking to bring in a Scottish Premiership striker on a short-term loan deal.

Cardiff ready with £1.5 million Stokes bid

Anthony Stokes is reportedly wanted by Cardiff City as they look to return to the English Premier League at the first time of asking. Celtic are apparently seeking £1.5 million for the 26-year old. (Daily Mail)

• Dundee United insist they’ve not been contracted by either Celtic or Sporting Lisbon regarding the transfer of midfielder Stuart Armstrong. (The Courier)

• Stokes has praised Efe Ambrose for his seamless return to the heart of the Celtic defence. Despite losing Jason Denayer to a foot injury the Scottish champions have not missed a beat on the domestic front, keeping clean sheets in each of their last three matches. (The Scotsman)

• Celtic winger Jo Inge Berget looks likely to return to Cardiff in January after failing to make an impact at Parkhead. (The Scotsman)

Blackpool: Belgian winger Jonathan Legear has been informed he can quit the Seasiders having not kicked a ball for the club after Lee Clark was questioned the former Anderlecht man's fitness levels. (Blackpool Gazette)

Crystal Palace could be set to battle it out with Everton for the services of Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, according to reports.

The Eagles currently have Julian Speroni as their number one with Wales international Wayne Hennessey pushing him all the way, but that has not stopped reports suggesting Neil Warnock wants another goalkeeper. Ruddy has stayed loyal to the Canaries since dropping out of the Premier League last season but he could be tempted by a return to the top flight when the January window opens. A fee of £4million could be enough to secure a deal but the Eagles would face strong competition from Everton, who see Ruddy as the long-term successor to Tim Howard.

Signed for £11 million in the summer by Fulham, could Ross McCormack be destined for an early exit in January?

The Mail is reporting that the west London side are to at least consider their options regarding the striker.

Their report states: "Premier League clubs have been alerted to the fact Fulham are willing to listen to offers for striker Ross McCormack just six months after signing him from Leeds United for £11million.

"The 28-year-old is content in London but the struggling Championship side are considering means to strengthen their squad elsewhere and a sizeable offer for McCormack would be considered."

McCormack had a disappointing start at Fulham as did the whole side under Felix Magath, and while Kit Symons has steadied the ship, he has scored just four goals this season in the Championship.

A transfer ban was imposed on three clubs by the Football League on Monday, but it does not stop them adding players in January.

Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers can still add players on loan, or as free agents.

The number, and quality of players without contracts at this stage of the season is typically thin-pickings, but here are five possibilities for the Championship clubs.

Jermaine Jenas

A former England international, Jenas is a free agent after his contract with QPR ran out in the summer. He has been in rehab due to a knee injury sustained in April and is thought to be closing on a return to fitness. He's exactly the sort of experienced midfielder Leeds need, but Forest could hold an advantage due to his previous connections with the club.

Dickson Etuhu

Dickson Etuhu remains without a club after being released by Blackburn Rovers in May. The former Fulham midfielder had a tough time with injuries, but with time to focus on getting fit, perhaps the 32-year-old will have got himself back into shape to revitalise his career?

Mikael Leigertwood

Nottingham Forest had Mikael Leigertwood on trial in the summer and decided against a deal, but considering the ban, could they seek to revisit their interest? The 32-year-old has made more than 400 appearances in English football, and could also provide the experience Leeds need if he can prove his fitness.

Krisztián Németh

Once a highly regarded Liverpool prospect, Nemeth's career is in a slump at only 25, stuck without a club after leaving Dutch team Roda JC. The Hungarian international striker has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer this month, but could yet be tempted by a Championship side.

George McCartney

Former Leeds loanee George McCartney is a free agent after leaving West Ham in the summer. Blackburn have had injury problems in defence over the last month, and the 33-year-old could provide an extra option for Gary Bowyer's men.

Leeds United look set to launch a January bid for Sassuolo striker Leonardo Pavoletti, according to IBTimesAny move the striker would have to be in the form of a loan deal, as a result of the transfer embargo they were struck with by the Football League, due to breaching Financial Fairplay Rules.

However, the IBTimes claims that the Yorkshire club will utilise a ‘loophole’ in the transfer embargo which states that they can sign players for a maximum of £600,000 a year in salary costs.

Pavoletti, 26, spent last season on loan at Italian club Varese and he went on to score 24 goals in 33 games for the club, and his prolific performances have certainly seen him attract interest.

Serie A side Sassuolo opted to keep hold of the Livorno-born striker and decided to reject approaches from other clubs, however Leeds United and Palermo are eyeing a January move, as reported on FLW.

Leeds United sporting direct Nicola Salerno told Sky Sport Italia: “I’ve liked this player for years and he has been considered by Leeds already in the past.

“I get along well with him and the president [Cellino] and I have a good relationship with Sassuolo. We could close a deal without any problems. It depends on the guy because I don’t know what he wants to do.”

The Elland Road outfit currently sit in 18th position in the Sky Bet Championship table, having accrued 24 points from 22 league games.

Manchester United have submitted a world record bid for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

That's according to well respected Spanish journalist Miguel Angel Diaz.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope earlier this evening, Diaz, who covers Real in great depth, claimed last season's Champions League winners received an offer of £117m for Bale from the Red Devils earlier today.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are preparing a bid to re-sign Fernando Torres from Chelsea.

Torres, 30, has been repeatedly linked with a move back to Anfield in recent weeks, and according to several publications, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is eager to sign the Spaniard.

And fresh reports today have claimed the Northern Irishman is preparing to make his move for the Chelsea ace, who left Anfield in 2011.

Chelsea Ladies have snapped up Swedish international goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

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